Experimental investigation on tribological behavior of titanium nitride-coated 316 L stainless steel under simulated body fluid

The present study discusses the effect of a hard titanium nitride (TiN) coating deposited on the stainless steel (SS) 316 L substrate using the cathodic arc deposition (CAD) technique. The hardness, X-ray diffraction, and roughness of the coating properties of as-received, and ceramic coated samples were studied. The osbornite phase increased in the coated specimen due to TiN which is observed from X-ray diffraction analysis. The SS 316 L sample showed a hardness of 217.66 HV, and the cathodic arc deposition coating samples increased five times compared to uncoated disc in hardness. The bio tribological testing of the hard TiN coated 316 L stainless steel was carried out using a ball-on-disc tribometer under simulated body fluid (SBF). The specific wear rate and its mechanism were carried out for the testing conditions of 2, 4, and 6 N with the counterpart of stainless steel. Scanning electron microscopy observation of the worn surfaces revealed the wear mechanisms of the contact surfaces. The 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and cell viability tests were conducted in order to confirm the biocompatibility with the normal cell line on the ceramic coated SS 316 L specimen. The present study focused on the demand for stainless steel 316 L and the usage of CAD coatings to suppress wear in bioimplant applications.